Calls for public to monitor pulses.

PEOPLE in North Wales are far more likely to check their passport expiry date than their pulse.

That's according to a new British Heart Foundation (BHF) campaign, revealed yesterday.

A simple pulse check can detect Atrial Fibrillation (AF), an abnormal heart rhythm most common in the over 55s.

AF can cause dangerous blood clot formation, and is estimated to lead to around 9,000 strokes in Wales each year, but which can be effectively managed with blood thinning treatments.

Yet when asked, only a third of Welsh people (33%) knew taking their pulse is a health check people should carry out on themselves, in contrast with high awareness of breast cancer (95%) or testicular cancer (92%) checks.

To help find people with undiagnosed AF, the BHF is launching a multimedia 'Pulse' campaign across the UK with a dedicated phone line (0300 333 2 333) and online support (bhf.org.uk/pulse) for people to hear examples of regular and irregular heartbeats, and learn how to take their pulse.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, said: "Checking your pulse is so simple - you really don't need to be a doctor or a nurse. "The BHF Pulse phone line and website can help you understand the difference between a regular and irregular rhythm.

"Taking one minute today to check your pulse for an irregular rhythm could make all the difference - don't leave it to chance."

He added: "We urge all Local Health Boards to build a simple pulse test into heart health screening initiatives and other health checks, as the 60 seconds it takes could really help find people at a heightened risk of a stroke."